Two men who shot each other inside a Birmingham nightclub after a dispute over 'disrespect' have been handed extended 15-year custodial sentences. Aaron Nubie, 47, and Kimani Durrell-Smith, 28, exchanged gunfire at Aston's FJ Lounge on March 23 last year.
An innocent jerk chicken vendor at the venue, Garth Pantry, was also struck in the crossfire. In a victim impact statement, Mr Pantry described how the incident had left him deeply traumatised, with sleepless nights and an inability to return to work since the ordeal.
Row over 'disrespect' leads to gunfire
The violence erupted when Nubie returned to the venue intending to 'putting right the disrespect' he felt he had been subjected to, Judge Andrew Smith KC told the court. Durrell-Smith had stepped outside to purchase food when Nubie approached him, poised to shoot.
Judge Smith said the violence was not 'significantly premeditated' but could not be considered spontaneous either. Durrell-Smith drew his weapon upon spotting Nubie, and both men discharged their firearms within a fraction of a second of one another.
Innocent vendor injured in crossfire
One bullet passed through Durrell-Smith's shoulder before striking Mr Pantry in the shoulder. Mr Pantry was rushed to hospital, where surgeons operated on a partial collapse of his lungs. Nubie also required medical attention for gunshot wounds to his neck and hand, while Durrell-Smith did not seek hospital treatment despite his own shoulder wound.
Nubie, who represented himself in court, said: "It was a form of self-defence. I felt like I had a right to do it because my life was at stake at the situation." He stated he had known Mr Pantry for numerous years and intended no harm towards him. Nubie also revealed he had previously been exposed to gang culture and organised crime, resulting in post-traumatic stress disorder and a fear of falling victim to gun violence.
Sentences handed down
Nubie, of Victoria Road, Stockland Green, and Durrell-Smith, of Marsh Lane, Erdington, were both convicted of two counts of wounding with intent, while each pleaded guilty to possessing a prohibited firearm. They received extended sentences of 15 years' imprisonment with three-year extended licence periods at Birmingham Crown Court on October 22.
Judge Andrew Smith KC said: "You didn't know one another but you had something in common. Each of you, as you accept, were in possession of a loaded 9mm handgun. Each of you carried your firearm in a readily accessible way and, as events were to unfold, did not hesitate to use your lethal, illegal weapons."
A West Midlands Police spokesperson added: "We responded immediately, launched a major investigation, caught them, and they're now starting prison sentences. We're working relentlessly every day to tackle violent crime and take guns off the streets of the West Midlands."
